Maytag Washing Machine: odor

Professional Repair Guide

What is this symptom?

If your Maytag washing machine emits an unpleasant, musty odor during or after wash cycles, it may indicate mildew, mold, or detergent buildup. Common culprits include the drum, door seal, and detergent dispenser. Regular maintenance is essential to eliminate these odors and ensure your washer remains fresh and clean.

Urgency: Low

Important Tips for Maytag Models

Maytag manuals recommend a monthly Clean Washer cycle using affresh® tablets or liquid chlorine bleach to prevent odor buildup.

Possible Causes

Mildew, mold, and bacteria growth in drum and gasket

How to Identify: Musty, moldy smell; visible residue or black spots in gasket folds and drum interior

Part: Drum interior, door gasket (especially front-load)

Soap scum and detergent residue buildup

How to Identify: Smell persists after cycle; visual sticky residue or suds film in drum or dispenser

Part: Drum surfaces, detergent dispenser

Standing water or poor drying between cycles

How to Identify: Odor stronger after multiple loads without leaving door open; water pooled in gasket folds

Part: Drum, door seal

Clogged filter or drain leading to stagnant water

How to Identify: Smell worse near bottom of machine; slow draining water

Part: Drain filter, drain hose

DIY Solutions

Run Maytag’s Clean Washer cycle or hot water cleaning

Easy 60 minutes

Ensure washer is empty
Place Maytag washer cleaner tablet or add liquid chlorine bleach per manual
Select Clean Washer cycle or hottest water cycle
Run full cycle then leave door open to dry

⚠️ Safety First: Follow product instructions

Clean the door gasket and drum manually

Moderate 20-30 minutes

Tools Needed: cloth, warm soapy water, toothbrush or small brush

Pull back gasket folds and inspect for residue
Wipe down gasket and drum interior with warm soapy water
Dry gasket thoroughly
Leave door open to allow full drying

Clean detergent dispenser

Moderate 15 minutes

Tools Needed: warm water, brush

Pull out the dispenser
Soak and scrub residue with warm water and brush
Dry before replacing

Clear drain filter and hose

Advanced 30-45 minutes

Tools Needed: screwdriver, bucket, gloves

Unplug washer and locate drain filter
Place towel or bucket to catch water
Remove filter and clear debris
Inspect and clear drain hose as needed
Reassemble and test

⚠️ Safety First: Ensure machine is disconnected from power

Next step

Choose the next step for odor

Confirm the diagnosis before ordering. An error code can identify the system involved, but it does not prove that a specific part has failed.

Based on diagnostic data

Most relevant component to inspect

Door Gasket

Creates a watertight seal around the door to prevent leaks during operation.

Typical part-only price: $45 - $110
DIY difficulty: Medium
Estimated time: 30-60 mins

Optional: enter your model number

Where can I find the model number?

Check the rating label around the door, lid, frame, rear panel, or inside the appliance cabinet. Use the complete model number, including suffixes.

Find a part that fits my model

Verify the complete model and part number on the retailer's compatibility page before ordering.

Other components that may be involved

Check these only if your diagnosis points to them.

Possible related component

Detergent Dispenser

Releases detergent, bleach, or rinse aid at the correct moment in the cycle.

$30 - $70 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price

Possible related component

Drain Hose

Carries waste water from the drain pump to your home's standpipe or sink drain.

$15 - $30 · Easy · 15-30 mins

Check fit & price

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Professional Repairs

Professional internal deep cleaning and inspection

Estimated Cost: $100 - $250

Drain system repair or replacement

Estimated Cost: $150 - $350

When to Call a Professional

Odor persists after thorough cleaning cycles and DIY steps

Foul smell accompanied by slow draining or visible water pooling

Signs of mold deep inside components inaccessible by user-level cleaning

Preventive Maintenance

Run a Clean Washer cycle or hot water cleaning monthly: Odor from residue and mildew buildup
Frequency: monthly
Wipe gasket and drum and keep door open after use: Moisture retention and mold growth
Frequency: after each use

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Maytag Washing Machine odor?

The odor is often caused by mildew, mold, or soap scum buildup in the drum, gasket, or detergent dispenser.

How do I fix Maytag Washing Machine odor myself?

Run the Clean Washer cycle, clean the door gasket, and remove detergent residue from the dispenser.

How much does it cost to fix odor?

Professional repairs for odor issues typically cost between $100 and $250.

When should I call a technician for odor?

Consider calling a technician if DIY solutions don't resolve the issue or if you suspect a drainage problem.

References & Sources

Removing Odor or Smell - Washer Official
Removing Odors from the Interior of a Washer Official

Community Analytical Insights

Analysis based on real user discussions from appliance repair communities

Can I Fix This Myself?

85%

DIY Success Rate Difficulty: DIY

Common Issues Reported by Users

Mold and mildew buildup in the detergent dispenser or door seal
Residual detergent or fabric softener left in the drum
Blocked or dirty drain filter causing stagnant water

User Suggested Solutions

Clean the detergent dispenser and door seal. Use a mixture of vinegar and water to scrub away mold and mildew. Wipe down the door seal thoroughly and leave the door open to dry after use.
Run a cleaning cycle with a washing machine cleaner or a cup of vinegar. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the cleaning cycle.
Check and clean the drain filter. Locate the filter, remove any debris, and ensure that water flows freely through the drain.